First Defence Forces overseas mission

Sir, – Your editorial ("The future of the Defence Forces: uncomfortable choices await", July 6th) states that the first overseas mission by the Defence Forces was to the Congo in 1958 whereas in fact, the first overseas mission was to Lebanon that year. A small group Irish officers were sent there as observers. The Congo mission did not start until July 1960 when the 32nd Battalion was deployed to Kivu province.

I remember the dates well as my father served on both missions. – Yours, etc,

JOSEPH TRACEY,

Donnybrook,

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Dublin 4.